Report
The prevalence of interactive and online gambling in Australia
26 August 2010
© Commonwealth of Australia 2010
View the report as a single document - (PDF 15KB)
Referral of inquiry
On 24 June 2010, the Senate referred the following matter to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 2 September 2010:
The prevalence of interactive and online gambling in Australia and the adequacy of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 to effectively deal with its social and economic impacts.
In undertaking the inquiry, the committee must consider:
- the recent growth in interactive sports betting and the changes in online wagering due to new technologies;
- the development of new technologies, including mobile phone and interactive television, that increase the risk and incidence of problem gambling;
- the relative regulatory frameworks of online and non-online gambling;
- inducements to bet on sporting events online;
- the impact of betting exchanges, including the ability to bet on losing outcomes;
- appropriate regulation, including codes of disclosure, for persons betting on events over which they have some participation or special knowledge, including match fixing of sporting events; and
- any other related matters.
Conduct of inquiry
In accordance with usual practice, the committee advertised the inquiry in The Australian and on the Internet calling for submissions by 30 July 2010. The committee also wrote directly to a number of organisations and individuals inviting submissions to the inquiry.
The committee received 21 submissions.
Conclusion
On 19 July 2010, the Governor-General prorogued the 42nd Parliament and dissolved the House of Representatives. After due consideration, the committee has determined that it is unable to provide a comprehensive report at this time. The committee will reconsider the issues of this inquiry in the event that it is re-referred to the committee in the new parliament.
Senator Rachel Siewert
Chair
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia